Assembly of First Nations Participates in National Aboriginal Women's Summit, Sets Out Recommendations for Action

OTTAWA, Oct. 20, 2014 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Regional Chief for Nova Scotia and Newfoundland Morley Googoo, together with representatives from the AFN National Women's Council, Youth and Elders councils, will participate in the fourth National Aboriginal Women's Summit (NAWS) taking place in Mi'kmaw territory in Membertou, Nova Scotia starting today and continuing through Wednesday.

A delegation of representatives from the AFN National Women's Council, national youth and Elder representatives, AFN leadership and staff are attending the three-day Summit which is organized based on the theme of promoting equity, empowerment and leadership.

"This is an important opportunity for us to come together to look at the current realities and work done to date, and to commit to action in specific areas," said AFN National Women's Council Co-Chair Lorraine Netro who is providing a paper on behalf of the Women's Council in support of NAWS and putting forward practical recommendations in the areas of focus for the Summit.  The paper submitted by the AFN Women's Council is available at: http://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/end_violence/afn_wc_nawsivsubmission.pdf.

"We'll be submitting a paper in support of NAWS with the aim of sparking action," said Netro.  "This National Summit is timely given the recent attention to the urgent need to end violence against Indigenous women and girls and we are keen to contribute practical recommendations to provide a foundation for sustainable change.  By empowering Indigenous women and through equal opportunity and strong, supported leadership, we can and will ensure women continue to be a driving force achieving success for our peoples."

"The AFN is honoured to be part of this important Summit and commends the province of Nova Scotia, the Native Women's Association of Canada and the planning committee for their efforts in coordinating and hosting the event," said AFN Regional Chief Morley Googoo, who is attending the Summit on behalf of National Chief Ghislain Picard.  "In addition to furthering other advocacy, efforts and initiatives to support safety and success for Indigenous women and girls, we look forward to contributing to the development of a socio-economic action plan for Indigenous women as agreed to at our meeting with Premiers in Charlottetown this past August."

Achieving safe, healthy and thriving communities is a priority for First Nations across Canada.  First Nations have long advocated for action to address long-standing risks to Indigenous women and girls, including campaigns and a national action plan to end violence against Indigenous women and girls.  First Nations have also contributed to a framework together with provinces and territories and will continue to call for a National Public Commission of Inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women. Work is underway to advance a National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Women with provinces and territories and the federal government.   For more information about First Nation-led efforts to end violence visit http://www.afn.ca/index.php/en/policy-areas/i-pledge.-end-violence.

Hosted jointly by the Province of Nova Scotia and the Native Women's Association of Canada, NAWS runs October 20-22 at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre in Membertou.  The Summit features panel discussions, reflection circles, cultural showcases and keynote addresses by Jean Teillet, Dr. Pamela Palmater, Sheila Watt-Cloutier and Waneek Horn-Miller.

The Assembly of First Nation is the national organization representing First Nation citizens in Canada.  Follow #AFN on Twitter @AFN_Comms, @AFN_Updates.

SOURCE: Assembly of First Nations

Jenna Young, AFN Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 401, 613-314-8157 or [email protected]; Alain Garon AFN Bilingual Communications Officer 613-241-6789, ext 382; 613-292-0857 or [email protected]